Two!

We've passed a few momentous milestones in this house recently.

Firstly, J has started daycare once a week.  She did her first full day last week and although she didn't sleep while there, and there were some tears at drop-off, she seems to have taken to it really well.  She's especially proud of her "bap-pack" which is almost as big as she is.

She also turned two (or "doo" if you ask her) last week.  She didn't really have a clue what her birthday was beforehand but she had a pretty good grasp of it by the end of the day.  Watching her running up and down the driveway squealing and playing, while I held baby A in my arms, really drove home to me more than ever that they do grow up so quickly.  It's hard to picture but is very likely that within a year A will be chasing her big sister, and possibly even trying to talk.  Honestly I can't wait.

CAKE DELICIOUS CAKE

At two, J is pure joy.  She has been slow to speak but the little words and sentences are starting to come through (I'm sure daycare will help immensely with that).  She is such a helpful little girl and whatever we're doing she's right there front and centre "helping".

I'm sure her helpful nature has been a big contributing factor in making the transition from one to two kids such a smooth one for us - more on that later.  I'll be writing a post to follow up on the one I wrote about all my "second baby" fears on my old blog.

It was also my birthday earlier in the month - the big 36.  I can't remember how I felt about turning 35 but certainly this year turning 36 gave me pause.  I'm not one to get depressed about getting older (or not yet anyway) but 36 does seem awfully grown up.  I even went for a nice invigorating walk to start the day.

Not much to report on the move to NZ - the renovations on the cottage are ticking along at a great rate and will apparently be finished very soon!  It makes me itch with anticipation to imagine the house all ready standing empty waiting for us, but unfortunately we won't be moving just yet.  I'll post some photos as soon as I have some decent ones to share.